Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Mike Alessi won the $1,500 Progressive Holeshot Award, while Stewart and Team San Manuel Yamaha rider Reed followed in second and third respectively. Stewart made quick work of Alessi as he moved into the lead and, on the same lap, Reed moved into second place.
Reed then caused s stir by passing Stewart, but the Kawasaki rider retaliated a few turns later. Reed chased Stewart for the next 18 laps but was unable to make another pass.
"I knew all along that I felt good, and I was able to ride a decent race," said Stewart. "If you have to get ready, you aren’t ready."
"It was a good race, and I had fun out there," said Reed. "It was a typical Phoenix track; slick and dry."
In the West coast AMA Lites main event, Torco Fuels Honda’s Jake Weimer took his first win in an amazing 15-lap battle.
Weimer won the Progressive Holeshot Award, with Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey in second and Yamaha’s Broc Hepler in third. Dungey then moved in to the lead on lap two, while Hepler snuck into second place. This set up an epic race that included at least seven passes for the lead.
On lap four, Hepler passed Dungey for the lead, but Dungey struck back. The two changed positions until lap 10 when Dungey bobbled in a corner, allowing Hepler and Weimer to move into the number one and number two positions.
On lap 11, Hepler spun out and Weimer assumed first place with Dungey in second. Dungey stalked Weimer until the last lap when he unsuccessfully attempted to steal the win.
"I got the holeshot for the first time in my life, so that made it easy to stay up front," said Weimer. "I just stayed smart out there, and I was able to take advantage when I needed to."
AMA Supercross Class Results, Phoenix:
1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
3. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
5. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki
7. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha
8. Josh Hansen, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
9. Charles Summey, Huntersville, N.C., Yamaha
10. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings:
1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 47
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 47
3. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 36
4. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 31
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 31
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 30
7. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 24
8. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 22
9. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 21
10. Grant Langston, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha, 19
Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results, Phoenix:
1. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
4. Broc Hepler, Kittanning, Pa., Yamaha
5. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
7. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha
8. Dan Reardon, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
9. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Honda
10. Billy Laninovich, Fort Worth, Texas, KTM
Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 47
2. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 38
3. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 35
4. Dan Reardon, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 31
5. Broc Hepler, Kittanning, Pa., Yamaha, 28
6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 25
7. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha, 25
8. Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 22
9. Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Kawasaki, 22
10. Michael LaPaglia, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 18
